Riser clamp

ABSTRACT

A riser clamp ( 20 ) comprising a first jaw portion ( 21   1 ) and a second jaw portion ( 21   2 ) that can be opened and closed relative to each other. The jaw portions ( 21   1   /21   2 ) each comprise a thermoplastic body ( 30   1   /30   2 ) that can be, for example, injection molded pieces of polyethylene (e.g., HDPE). The jaw portions ( 21   1   /21   2 ) can be connected by a hinge ( 39 ) that is integrally formed therewith. The clamp ( 20 ) can also include cradles ( 70   1   /70   2 ) and caps ( 71   1   /71   2 ) for holding auxiliary lines.

RELATED APPLICATIONS DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 12/990,384 filed Oct. 29, 2010, which is a national phase ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2009/042285 filed Apr. 30, 2009 andpublished in the English language, which claims priority of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/049,054 filed Apr. 30, 2008, all of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

In an offshore drilling operation, a drillstring extends from a rig intoa wellbore whereat it drills deeper and deeper into the sea floor. Thedrillstring extends through a riser which reaches from the rig platformto the wellhead, usually with a subsea blowout prevention stack betweenit and the ocean floor. During drilling, mud removed from the wellboreis drained to the surface through the riser. The riser can be over 30 cmwide (e.g., it can have about a 53 cm diameter) and it may be thousandsof meters long. The riser is typically made of a succession of riserpipes having adjacent ends that are connected and disconnected on therig to raise and lower the riser into the ocean.

SUMMARY

A riser clamp is provided that comprises thermoplastic jaw portionsformed by injection molding of a polyethylene (e.g., HDPE). The clampcan be constructed to have greater strength that its casted cousins madeof thermoset plastic (e.g., urethane). Additionally or alternatively,the clamp can be more corrosion-resistant and/or much lighter than ananalogous metal riser clamp.

According to another aspect of the invention, a marine riser clampcomprises a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion that can beopened and closed relative to each other; the jaw portions togetherforming therebetween, when the clamp is closed, an embrace for a riserpipe; the jaw portions each having an arcuate central portion extendingbetween radially outwardly extending jaw connecting flanges formingrespective facing sets with the jaw connecting flanges of the other jawportion, the flanges of each facing set having aligned bolt holes forsecuring the flanges to one another; the flanges of one facing setincluding at radially outer ends thereof respective flange cradles forreceiving respective auxiliary lines; and further comprising a cap forclosing both flange cradles and defining respective embraces between thecap and the flange cradles for holding the auxiliary lines in the flangecradles; the cap being U-shaped with a base for spanning the ends of theflanges and spaced-apart legs for straddling the flanges.

The legs of the cap may have fastener holes that align with fastenerholes in the jaw portions for securing the cap to the jaw portions.

The legs of the cap may have outwardly turned feet including thefastener holes of the legs.

The legs may join the base of the base at corners that are rounded toform at inner surfaces thereof circular continuations of opposedsurfaces of the respective cradles.

The central portion of each jaw portion may have a second cradle forreceiving a respective auxiliary line, and the clamp may furthercomprise a cap for closing the second cradle to form an embrace for theauxiliary line, the cap being moveable independent of the jaw portionsso that the cap can be opened or closed without opening of the jawportions.

The second cradles may be diametrically opposite one another when theclamp is closed.

The cap may be U-shape with an opening at its radially inner end forreceiving the auxiliary line, the cradle may have a concave recess withan opening at its radially outer end for receiving the auxiliary line,and the opening of the cap may have a span greater than the span of theopening of the cradle.

Each second cap may have a flange portion provided with fastener holesthat align with fastener holes in the central portion of the respectivejaw portion for securing the cap to the jaw portion.

The flanges of the other facing set may be joined together at theirradially outer ends for relative pivotal movement.

The flanges of the other facing set may form respective halves of acradle for receiving and holding an auxiliary line when the clamp isclosed.

The jaw portions may be molded from plastic.

Each jaw portion may have a cradle flange extending circumferentiallyfrom at least one of the cradles and radially outwardly from a radiallyinner portion of the jaw portion, which radially inner portion has agreater longitudinal thickness than the cradle flange.

According to another aspect of the invention, a marine riser clampcomprises a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion that can beopened and closed relative to each other; the jaw portions togetherforming therebetween, when the clamp is closed, an embrace for a riserpipe; the jaw portions each having an arcuate central portion extendingbetween radially extending jaw connecting flanges forming respectivefacing sets with the jaw connecting flanges of the other jaw portion,the flanges of each facing set having aligned bolt holes for securingthe flanges to one another; the central portion of each jaw portionhaving a cradle for receiving a respective auxiliary line; and furthercomprising a cap for closing the second cradle to form an embrace forthe auxiliary line, the cap being moveable independent of the jawportions so that the cap can be opened or closed without opening of thejaw portions; the cradle of each central portion having a radially outerconcave surface, and the respective cap having a U-shape having a baseportion and spaced apart leg portions together forming interiorlythereof a radially inner concave surface for defining with the concavesurface of the cradle an embrace for holding the auxiliary line to theclamp; and the legs of the U-shape cap have radially inner end portionsincluding fastener holes that align with fastener holes in the centralportion of the respective jaw portion for securing the cap to the jawportion.

The cradles may be diametrically opposite one another when the clamp isclosed.

The cap may be U-shape with an opening at its radially inner end forreceiving the auxiliary line, the cradle has a concave recess with anopening at its radially outer end for receiving the auxiliary line, andthe opening of the cap may have a span greater than the span of theopening of the cradle.

Each cap may have a flange portion provided with fastener holes thatalign with fastener holes in the central portion of the respective jawportion for securing the cap to the jaw portion.

The flanges of one of the facing sets may be joined together at theirradially outer ends for relative pivotal movement.

The jaw portions may be molded from plastic.

Each jaw portion may have a cradle flange extending circumferentiallyfrom at least one of the cradles and radially outwardly from a radiallyinner portion of the jaw portion, which radially inner portion has agreater longitudinal thickness than the cradle flange.

The central portion of each jaw portion may include at least oneadditional cradle with a respective cap for closing the cradle to forman embrace for an auxiliary line.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a marine riser clampcomprises a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion that can beopened and closed relative to each other; the jaw portions each havingan inner wall and an outer wall; the inner walls together forming, whenthe clamp is closed, the clamp=s radially inner surface and an embracefor a riser pipe; the first jaw portion comprising a first plastic bodyat least partially forming its inner wall; and the second jaw portioncomprising a second plastic body at least partially forming its innerwall; wherein the first jaw portion has at least one cradle for holdingan auxiliary line and a cap for at the least one cradle; wherein eachouter wall is a flange extending radially outward from one of the innerwalls, extending circumferentially from the at least one cradle, andhaving a longitudinal thickness less than a corresponding longitudinalthickness of the inner walls; wherein when the cradle is open, theauxiliary line can be placed in the cradle, and wherein when the cradleis closed by the cap, an embrace is formed for the auxiliary line;wherein the cradle faces radially outwardly; and wherein the cap ismoveable independent of the jaw portions when the cap is open.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an offshore drilling operation.

FIG. 2 is a close-up schematic view of a riser clamp connecting adjacentends of two riser pipes.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective and plan views, respectively of the riserclamp.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are front, top and side views, respectively of anotherriser clamp, (the clamp being shown without its caps in FIG. 7.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An offshore drilling operation is shown schematically in FIG. 1. In thisoperation 10, a drillstring 11 extends from the rig 12 into a wellborewhereat it drills deeper and deeper into the sea floor. The drillstring11 extends through a riser 13 which reaches from the rig platform to thewellhead, usually with a subsea blowout prevention stack 14 between itand the ocean floor. During drilling, mud removed from the wellbore isdrained to the surface through the riser 13. The drilling operation 10will often also include auxiliary lines 15 (e.g., choke lines, killlines, pneumatic lines, hydraulic lines, equipment control lines, and/orlogging lines) that can run alongside the riser 13.

As is best seen by referring additionally to FIG. 2, the riser 13 istypically made of a succession of riser pipes 16. The adjacent ends ofneighboring riser pipes (i.e., the trailing end of one riser pipe andthe leading end of the next riser pipe) can be joined together by ariser clamp 20. The pipes 16 can thereby be connected and disconnectedon the rig 12 to raise and lower the riser 13 into the ocean. Theauxiliary lines 15 can also be held by the riser clamp 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, the riser clamp 20 is shown in more detail.While some riser clamps require a lose metal strap to hold them onto theriser, the illustrated clamp 20 can be characterized by the absence ofsuch an external strap. That being said, the use of the clamp 20 inconjunction with an external strap is possible and contemplated.

The clamp 20 can comprise a first jaw portion 21 ₁ and a second jawportion 21 ₂ and these jaw portions 21 can be opened and closed relativeto each other. The jaw portions 21 each have an inner wall 22 (i.e., jawportion 21 ₁ has an inner wall 22 ₁ and jaw portion 21 ₂ has an innerwall 22 ₂) and an outer wall 23 (i.e., jaw portion 21 ₁ has an outerwall 23 ₁ and jaw portion 21 ₂ has an outer wall 23 ₂). When the riserclamp 20 is closed, the inner walls 22 ₁ and 22 ₂ together form theclamp's radially inner surface and an embrace 24 for the adjacent endsof the to-be-connected riser pipes 16. The outer walls 23 ₁ and 23 ₂together form the clamp's radially outer surface.

The first jaw portion 21 ₁ comprises a thermoplastic body 30 ₁ that atleast partially forms its inner wall 22 ₁ and its outer wall 23 ₁. Thesecond jaw portion 21 ₂ likewise comprises a thermoplastic body 30 ₂that at least partially forms its inner wall 22 ₂ and its outer wall 23₂. The first thermoplastic body 30 ₁ and/or the second thermoplasticbody 30 ₂ can be made from a polyethylene thermoplastic, such as a highdensity polyethylene HDPE thermoplastic. They can be formed in one pieceand/or they can be injection molded. With certain clamp designs (such asthe hinged design shown in FIGS. 2-3), it may be possible to form thefirst thermoplastic body 30 ₁ in one piece with the second thermoplasticbody 30 ₂.

The riser embrace 24 is sized and shaped in accordance with the riser 13and/or riser pipes 16. Thus, the embrace 24 can be, for example,circular in shape and it can have a diameter greater than 30 cm and/orgreater than 50 cm. With a circular embrace, the inner walls 22 of thejaw portions 21 can each have a semi-cylindrical shape and they can besymmetrically positioned relative to each other when the clamp 20 isclosed.

The riser clamp 20 can further comprise a hinge 39 between its first jawportion 21 ₁ and its second jaw portion 21 ₂. The hinge 39 can form, forexample, an elbow-like pivot connection that expands/contracts when thejaw portions 20 are opened and closed. The hinge 39 can be integrallyformed with the first jaw portion 21 ₁ and/or the second jaw portion 21₂, and more specifically, part of one or both of the thermoplasticbodies 30. In either or any event, the hinge 39 can be made ofthermoplastic (e.g., a polyethylene thermoplastic, such as a highdensity polyethylene HDPE thermoplastic).

In the illustrated riser clamp 20, the each jaw portion 21 includes apair of jaw-connecting flanges 40 (i.e., the first jaw portion 21 ₁ hastwo jaw-connecting flanges 40 ₁ and the second jaw portion 21 ₂ has twojaw-connecting flanges 40 ₂). The connecting flanges 40 extend radiallyoutward from the respective inner wall 22 of its jaw's thermoplasticbody 30, with the flanges 40 of each jaw portion 21 being positionedapproximately 180° apart. Each jaw-connecting flange 40 ₁ of the firstjaw portion 21 ₁ faces a corresponding jaw-connecting flange 40 ₂ of thesecond jaw portion 21 ₂.

The jaw-connecting flanges 40 can each have fastener openings 41extending therethrough. When the riser clamp 20 is in a closedcondition, the opening 41 ₁ on each flange 40 ₁ of the first jaw portion21 ₁ is aligned with the opening 41 ₂ on the facing flange 40 ₂ of thesecond jaw portion 21 ₂. A fastener 50 can extend into and/or througheach set of aligned openings 41. The fasteners 50 can comprise forexample, metal (e.g., stainless steel) bolts.

The jaw-connecting flanges 40 can be part of the thermoplastic body 30of the respective jaw portion 21. In the riser clamp 20 shown in FIGS.2-3, the hinge 39 extends between the distal (i.e., radially outer) endsof one set of facing flanges 40. When opening and closing the riserclamp 20, the opposing set of flanges are diverged and convergedrelative to each other.

Either or both jaw portions 21 can one or more cradles 70 for holdingauxiliary lines 15 and they can have a cap 71 for one, some, or all thecradles 70. When the cap 71 ₁/71 ₂ is open, an auxiliary line 15 can beplaced in the cradle 70 ₁/70 ₂, and when the cap 71 ₁/71 ₂ is closed, anembrace 72 is formed for the auxiliary line 15. The aux-line embrace 72can have circular shape with a diameter less than that of the riserembrace 24. For example, the diameter of the aux-line embrace 72 can beless than 25 cm, less than 20 cm, less than 15 cm, less than 10 cm,and/or less than 5 cm.

The riser clamp 20, and/or each jaw portion 21, can have cradles 70 thatare the same size and/or cradles that are of different sizes. In theclamp 20 shown in FIGS. 2-3, for example, the first jaw portion 21 ₁ hasthree cradles 70 ₁ of three different diameters. The second jaw portion21 ₂ has three cradles 70 ₂ with different diameters, with its largestcradle 70 ₂ and its smallest cradle 70 ₂ being substantially the samesize as the largest and smallest cradles 70 ₁ in the first jaw portion21 ₁. Each cradle 70 is provided with its own cap 71 sized in an acorresponding manner.

The cradles 70 can be part of the thermoplastic body 30 of theirrespective jaw portion 21 (and thus formed in one piece therewith). Thecaps 71 can be formed separately from the cradles 70 and/or thethermoplastic body 30, and then attached thereto (e.g., with pins 80)during assembly of the riser clamp 20. An advantageous attachmenttechnique may be one wherein the cap 71 can remain attached to itscorresponding cradle 70 with, for example, a pivotal connection.

The caps 71 can be made of any suitable material (e.g., a thermoplastic,a polyethylene thermoplastic and/or a HDPE thermoplastic) by anyappropriate method (e.g., injection molding). The caps 71 can (orcannot) be made of the same material as the thermoplastic body 30 oftheir jaw portion 21 and/or they can (or cannot) be made of the samematerial as their corresponding cradle 70.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, another version of the riser clamp 120 isshown. The riser clamp 120 is similar in many ways to the riser clamp 20shown in FIGS. 2-3, whereby like reference numerals are used todesignate like parts.

The riser clamp 120, like the riser clamp 20, has a first jaw portion 21₁ comprising a thermoplastic body 30 ₁ (that at least partially formsits inner wall 22 ₁ and its outer wall 23 ₁) and a second jaw portion 21₂ comprising a thermoplastic body 30 ₂ (that at least partially formsits inner wall 22 ₂ and its outer wall 23 ₂). The clamp 120 also has areinforcement strap 60 ₁ embedded in the elastomeric body 30 ₁ of thefirst jaw portion 21 ₁ and/or a reinforcement strap 60 ₂ embedded in theelastomeric body 30 ₂ of the second jaw portion 21 ₂. Preferably, butnot necessarily, one or both of the reinforcement straps 60 arecompletely encapsulated within its embedding thermoplastic body 30. Thestraps 60 can be made from a material which is harder than that used toform the thermoplastic body 30. For example, each reinforcement strap 60can be made from metal (e.g., stainless steel). The straps 60 ₁ and 60₂, like the thermoplastic bodies 30 ₁ and 30 ₂, can be approximatelysymmetrical when the clamp 120 is closed. In the illustrated clamp 120,the reinforcement straps 60 form part of the connecting flanges 40 andpart of at least some of the cradles 70.

The jaw-connecting flanges 40 in the riser clamp 120, like those in theriser clamp 20, can each have fastener openings 41 extendingtherethrough for receipt of fastener 50. The clamp 120 also incorporatesfastener-receiving inserts 42 in each these openings 41, which aresurrounded by the thermoplastic body 30 of the respective jaw portion21. The inserts 42 ₁/42 ₂ can have internal threads (e.g. to mate withexternal threads on the fasteners 50) and/or they can be made of metal.Additionally or alternatively, each insert can be welded or otherwiseattached to the internal reinforcement strap 60 ₁/60 ₂ of the respectivejaw portion 21 ₁/21 ₂ for further buttressing purpose.

The riser clamp 120, like the riser clamp 20, has cradles 70 that formauxiliary-line embraces 72. But in the riser clamp 120, they shareprojecting leg portions (of the respective jaw portions 21) with theconnecting flanges 40. In one facing set of flanges 40 (the bottom setin FIG. 5), a cradle 70 extends from each flange 40 and they togetherform the embrace 72. (In riser clamp 120, the hinge 39 extends betweenthese embrace-forming cradles 70 ₁ and 70 ₂.) In the other facing set offlange 40 (the top set in FIG. 5), a cradle 70 also extends from eachflange 40, but they are oriented to form two separate embraces 72 whencovered by a common cap 71.

The riser clamp 120 can further comprise a pad 90 ₁ positioned againstthe inner wall 22 ₁ of the first jaw portion 21 ₁ and a pad 90 ₂positioned against the inner wall 22 ₂ of the second jaw portion 21 ₂.The pads 90 are intended to contact the riser pipe 16 and to reducefriction between the inner walls 22. To this end, they can be made froman elastomeric material, such as rubber. The pads 90 can have a planshape following the profile of the inner walls 22 of the jaw portions21.

The riser clamp 120, like the riser clamp 20 can be used without a losemetal strap to hold it onto the riser 13. But, the use of such anexternal strap (not shown) may be advantageous with the clamp 120. Thestrap could be made of, for example, stainless steel, and includeopenings or slots to accommodate the radial projection of auxiliarylines 15, hinge 39, flanges 40, fasteners 50, cradles 70, caps 71,and/or pins 80.

Although the riser clamp 20/120 has been shown and described withrespect to a certain embodiments, equivalent alterations andmodifications should occur to others skilled in the art upon review ofthis specification and drawings. If an element (e.g., component,assembly, system, device, composition, method, process, step, means,etc.), has been described as performing a particular function orfunctions, this element corresponds to any functional equivalent (i.e.,any element performing the same or equivalent function) thereof,regardless of whether it is structurally equivalent thereto. And while aparticular feature may have been described with respect to less than allof embodiments, such feature can be combined with one or more otherfeatures of the other embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A marine riser clamp comprising: a first jawportion and a second jaw portion that can be opened and closed relativeto each other; the jaw portions together forming therebetween, when theclamp is closed, an embrace for a riser pipe; the jaw portions eachhaving an arcuate central portion extending between radially outwardlyextending jaw connecting flanges forming respective facing sets with thejaw connecting flanges of the other jaw portion, the flanges of eachfacing set having aligned bolt holes for securing the flanges to oneanother; the flanges of one facing set including at radially outer endsthereof respective flange cradles for receiving respective auxiliarylines; and further comprising a cap for closing both flange cradles anddefining respective embraces between the cap and the flange cradles forholding the auxiliary lines in the flange cradles; the cap beingU-shaped with a base for spanning the ends of the flanges andspaced-apart legs for straddling the flanges.
 2. The marine riser clampof claim 1, wherein the legs of the cap have fastener holes that alignwith fastener holes in the jaw portions for securing the cap to the jawportions.
 3. The marine riser clamp of claim 2, wherein the legs of thecap have outwardly turned feet including the fastener holes of the legs.4. The marine riser clamp of claim 1, wherein the legs join the base atcorners that are rounded to form at inner surfaces thereof circularcontinuations of opposed surfaces of the respective cradles.
 5. Themarine riser clamp of claim 1, wherein the central portion of each jawportion has a second cradle for receiving a respective auxiliary line,and further comprising a second cap for closing each second cradle toform an embrace for the respective auxiliary line, each second cap beingmoveable independent of the jaw portions so that each second cap can beopened or closed without opening of the jaw portions.
 6. The marineriser clamp of claim 5, wherein the second cradles are diametricallyopposite one another when the clamp is closed.
 7. The marine riser clampof claim 6, wherein each second cap is U-shaped with an opening at itsradially inner end for receiving the respective auxiliary line, eachsecond cradle has a concave recess with an opening at its radially outerend for receiving the respective auxiliary line, and the opening of eachsecond cap has a span greater than the span of the opening of eachsecond cradle.
 8. The marine riser clamp of claim 6, wherein each secondcap has a flange portion provided with fastener holes that align withfastener holes in the central portion of the respective jaw portion forsecuring each second cap to the jaw portion.
 9. The marine riser clampof claim 8, wherein the flanges of the other facing set are joinedtogether at their radially outer ends for relative pivotal movement. 10.The marine riser clamp of claim 8, wherein the flanges of the otherfacing set form respective halves of a cradle for receiving and holdingan auxiliary line when the clamp is closed.
 11. The marine riser clampof claim 10, wherein the jaw portions are molded from plastic.
 12. Themarine riser clamp of claim 11, wherein each jaw portion has a cradleflange extending circumferentially from at least one of the cradles andradially outwardly from a radially inner portion of the jaw portion,which radially inner portion has a greater longitudinal thickness thanthe cradle flange.
 13. A marine riser clamp comprising: a first jawportion and a second jaw portion that can be opened and closed relativeto each other; the jaw portions together forming therebetween, when theclamp is closed, an embrace for a riser pipe; the jaw portions eachhaving an arcuate central portion extending between radially extendingjaw connecting flanges forming respective facing sets with the jawconnecting flanges of the other jaw portion, the flanges of each facingset having aligned bolt holes for securing the flanges to one another;the central portion of each jaw portion having a cradle for receiving arespective auxiliary line; and further comprising a cap for closing therespective cradle to form an embrace for the respective auxiliary line,each cap being moveable independent of the jaw portions so that each capcan be opened or closed without opening of the jaw portions; the cradleof each central portion having a radially outer concave surface, and therespective cap having a U-shape having a base portion and spaced apartleg portions together forming interiorly thereof a radially innerconcave surface for defining with the concave surface of the cradle theembrace for holding the respective auxiliary line to the clamp; and thelegs of each U-shaped cap have radially inner end portions includingfastener holes that align with fastener holes in the central portion ofthe respective jaw portion for securing the cap to the jaw portion. 14.The marine riser clamp of claim 13, wherein the cradles arediametrically opposite one another when the clamp is closed.
 15. Themarine riser clamp of claim 13, wherein each U-shaped cap has an openingat its radially inner end for receiving the auxiliary line, the cradlehas a concave recess with an opening at its radially outer end forreceiving the auxiliary line, and the opening of the cap has a spangreater than the span of the opening of the cradle.
 16. The marine riserclamp of claim 13, wherein each cap has a flange portion provided withthe fastener holes that align with the fastener holes in the centralportion of the respective jaw portion for securing the cap to the jawportion.
 17. The marine riser clamp of claim 13, wherein the flanges ofone of the facing sets are joined together at their radially outer endsfor relative pivotal movement.
 18. The marine riser clamp of claim 13,wherein the jaw portions are molded from plastic.
 19. The marine riserclamp of claim 13, wherein each jaw portion has a cradle flangeextending circumferentially from at least one of the cradles andradially outwardly from a radially inner portion of the jaw portion,which radially inner portion has a greater longitudinal thickness thanthe cradle flange.
 20. The marine riser clamp of claim 13, wherein thecentral portion of each jaw portion includes at least one additionalcradle with a respective cap for closing the cradle to form an embracefor an auxiliary line.
 21. A marine riser clamp comprising: a first jawportion and a second jaw portion that can be opened and closed relativeto each other; the jaw portions each having an inner wall and an outerwall; the inner walls together forming, when the clamp is closed, theclamp's radially inner surface and an embrace for a riser pipe; thefirst jaw portion comprising a first plastic body at least partiallyforming its inner wall; and the second jaw portion comprising a secondplastic body at least partially forming its inner wall; wherein thefirst jaw portion has at least one cradle for holding an auxiliary lineand a cap is provided for the at least one cradle; wherein each outerwall is a flange extending radially outward from one of the inner walls,extending circumferentially from the at least one cradle, and having alongitudinal thickness less than a corresponding longitudinal thicknessof the inner walls; wherein when the cradle is open, the auxiliary linecan be placed in the cradle, and wherein when the cradle is closed bythe cap, an embrace is formed for the auxiliary line; wherein the cradlefaces radially outwardly; and wherein the cap is moveable independent ofthe jaw portions when the cap is open.